Growth differentiation factor 11 messenger RNA 3'-untranslated region (GDF-11 mRNA 3'-UTR)

The Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF-11) mRNA 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) is a critical regulatory segment of the GDF-11 transcript that controls the stability and translation of the GDF-11 protein, a member of the TGF-beta superfamily (UniProt P81101). GDF-11 is involved in regulating cell growth and differentiation, and its role in aging has been a subject of significant scientific debate, with some studies suggesting it reverses age-related cardiac hypertrophy while others indicate it inhibits muscle regeneration (Loffredo et al., 2013, Cell; Egerman et al., 2015, Cell Metabolism). The 3'-UTR serves as a docking site for various microRNAs, such as miR-128 and miR-34a, which post-transcriptionally repress GDF-11 expression (PubMed: 29153918, 25915404). Targeting this region with antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) or microRNA mimics offers a therapeutic strategy to modulate GDF-11 levels in diseases like sarcopenia or heart failure. Because GDF-11 shares high sequence homology with Myostatin (GDF-8), the 3'-UTR provides a more specific target for genetic modulation than the protein's highly conserved signaling domain. However, the therapeutic application is challenged by the complex, context-dependent effects of GDF-11 signaling across different tissues and age groups.

Other names

GDF11 3'-UTRBone morphogenetic protein 11 mRNA 3'-untranslated regionBMP-11 mRNA 3'-UTRGDF-11 3'-UTR regulatory element

MicroRNA-mediated gene silencing, Antisense-mediated mRNA degradation, RNA interference (RNAi), Translational inhibition